336 The zoologist. 



nests were cup-shaped, well concealed among the growing herbage, 

 and resembling those of our common European Meadow Pipit. 

 The eggs in the first nest, three in number, are white, with 

 distinct freckles and small blotches of cbocolate-brown, and a 

 more obscure series of ashy grey markings, most numerous 

 towards the larger end, measuring '8 in. by *6 in. In the second 

 nest the two eggs have the markings smaller, but more numerous 

 and of a slightly duller brown. Iris brown ; bill brown, with the 

 basal portion of the lower mandible flesh-colour : legs and feet 

 yellowish clay-colour (R). 



Anthus pyrrhonotus (Vieil.), Red-eared Pipit. — This species is 

 the A. sordidus and A. leucophrys of Layard's first edition. It is an 

 exceedingly common bird on the " veldt" in the upper portions of 

 the colony, and we obtained many specimens. Several nests were 

 taken near Newcastle and Ladysmith. From Butler's notes we 

 extract the following : — " Found a nest near Newcastle, on the 1st 

 October, under a tussock of grass. It was well concealed, and com- 

 posed of dry grass, lined with finer material of the same descrip- 

 tion, cow-hair, horse-hair, &c, with a run up to it on one side, so 

 that it was necessary to stoop down very low to see into it. Eggs 

 three in number, fresh, white, spotted all over with grey. Another 

 nest, precisely similar in composition and situation, at Sunday's 

 River, on the 12th October, containing three eggs slightly incu- 

 bated. One specimen, shot near Newcastle on the 23rd June, 

 was pied, having the greater part of the head and neck and other 

 parts of the body white" (B). 



Anthus Butleri, Shelley, nov. sp., Yellow-breasted Pipit. — 

 Feilden shot the first specimen on the (5th June, and Reid met 

 with it at the Ingagane River in July, and obtained three speci- 

 mens. Butler afterwards obtained a fine male, nearly in full 

 plumage, on Nov. 9th, at Newcastle, where it was by no means 

 common. Those obtained at the Ingagane were very local, and 

 only to be found on one particular open flat near the main 

 "drift." In their movements and flight they much resembled 

 Wagtails. Iris dark brown ; upper mandible, and tip of lower, 

 neutral tint ; base of lower mandible purple flesh-colour ; legs 

 and toes light yellowish brown (R)/ For a description of this 

 interesting new species we must refer our readers to Capt Shelley's 

 paper, in the ' Proceedings of the Zoological Society,' March, 

 1882. / Butler adds the following notes referring to his type 



